International Relations at Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
49
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,100/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #32 of 106 International Relations programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to International Relations graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $627K $612K $556K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.0x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.8x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 49 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,160
Out-of-state: $161,928 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,368
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,832
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,817
77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,100/yr, International Relations graduates from Indiana University-Bloomington land near the $39,530 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI International Relations programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in International Relations's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $16,832 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #32 of 106 International Relations programs, Indiana University-Bloomington scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $63,817 show a 77% jump from the $36,100 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Indiana University-Bloomington

With 80% of applicants admitted, Indiana University-Bloomington prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 36,571 students in Bloomington, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-Bloomington →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Political science teachers, postsecondary $94,680/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

International Relations at Other Schools

Other Majors at Indiana University-Bloomington

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Relations at Indiana University-Bloomington?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Relations. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace International Relations careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $556,322 in decade earnings vs $627,065 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →